Gameday: Wild vs. St. Louis

Preview: The Wild, 0-2-1 on its four-game homestand, is 0-6-1 in its past seven. It hasn't gone winless in eight consecutive since a nine-game streak (0-6-3) in 2001-02, and the only time it has gone winless in a four-game-plus homestand was November 2003 (0-3-1, tie). This is the first of two in a row vs. the Blues.

Players to watch: Since being acquired in the Erik Johnson trade, RW Chris Stewart has 10 goals in 18 games. If D Alex Pietrangelo had played fewer games the past two seasons, he would be the top-producing rookie defenseman in the NHL. He has 10 goals and 39 points.

Numbers: The last time the Wild and Blues met (Feb. 12), the teams combined for three fights and 74 penalty minutes. ... At home, G Niklas Backstrom is 6-1 with a 1.43 goals-against average and .939 save percentage vs. the Blues.

The Timberwolves, Wild, Gophers men's basketball, Gophers men's and women's hockey, and Gophers volleyball all are battling for your attention. We have gameplanned a way for you to stay engaged and watch all six teams Friday night.

It took less than four laps for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to feel back at home in his race car. His test this week at Darlington Raceway was the final hurdle for NASCAR's most popular driver to earn clearance to compete next season.